Compartment tester



Q 1950 A. u. BRYANT 2,531,607

COMPARTMENT TESTER Filed April 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a JNVENTOR. Q fiusfln U. Bryan)- QQWZ M x! A TTORNEY F'JLI5 J Nov. 28, 1950 A. u. BRYANT 2,531,607

COMPARTMENT TESTER Filed April 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. flue/1n U Eryanf m *3 ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1950 v A. u. BRYANT COMPARTMENT TESTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15, 1947 mmm &

, I I I I I I I I I I I l I I l I I ll R m m m5 Q Q Q m nw V w \w m v R R Q mm R w% J M m Q & mm Q 5 mm ATTORNEY t atentecl Nov. 28, 1 950 -UNI TED STATES ()F Fr iE 2531166? *GOMPARi-TMENT r ns rnri Austin U. Bryant, :Berkeley, Qaliil, q-assignor to Grove :Itegulator Company, --akland, Calif., a corporation df'California Applieation llpril 15, 1947,=Seria;l No.'i'i'41,639 4 Claims. (01.73-4'0) This invention relates .generally 120 pneumatic equipment for the testing :of tanks -.orqcompartments "to detect the presence of possible .-;leaks.

:As described in co-pending application Serial No. 2619,292 filedSeptember 29, 194-5, for Compartment {resting Apparatus, in .the name .of Douglas H. .Annin, it isaconventionalxpractice in compartment testing to connect the :compartment to a source .of air pressure until a predetermined pressure has been built up --in the tank or compartment. Theuairuin-let is then closed-and the operator observes 1 any .possible drop :of .pressure (over i a predetermined period of time. IIhe extent of any leak present is indicated by lthe amount which the lpressure may drop over 1 a prescribed time period. :Ihe testing apparatus disclosed inrsaid application 619,294 is an improvement over lconventional apparatus, and greatly facilitates making wconnections between the apparatus and the compartment, and athe taking of :accurate pressure 'readingsunder various testing conditions "encountered. .In addition the hazard-of introduoingtoo much.:pressur.e into acompartment (such as the compartmentof a ship) isgreatly minimized.

:In the use of apparatus of the type disclosed in said application Serial No. 619,294, it has been found that inaccuracies may result in the pressure readings taken during the time .the compar'tment is being supplied with air, due to the differences in static .;pressure which may exist between the outlet of thepressure regulator employed, and the interior of theitank or compartment. Also the time required to r supply air to the compartment is extended due to the fact that the pressure regulator employed does not attain its maximum permissible flow .rate.

It is .an object of thezpresent inventionto improve compartment testing equipment of the type disclosed in said application Serial No. 619,294, particularly with respect to the accuracy of pressure readings afforded, and operation of the pressure reducing regulator to supply the required amount of air to the compartment.

Further objects of the invention will appear fromthefollowing description in whichthe preferred embodiment of the .invention has been set iforth in detailin conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to .the drawing:

Figure lis a plan view of testing apparatuslincorporating the present invention.

Figure 1211s a cross sectionalviewof the apparatus as shown in Figure cl the section :being indicatedvbydthetline 2-2 of Figure :1.

' FigureS is ,an enlargsedndetail .in. section illustrating -the1construction-of the .presusre reduc ing regulator valve. :Figure A is r an (enlarged detail in section illustrating the construotionof the manual control valve. Theaapparatus illustrated in the drawings con sists generally of a pressure reducing -regulator It, in conjunction 1 with a manuallyloperable valve H. The tankorcompartment totbe tested is indicatedby itsone wall l2, and is shown providedwitha short connecting :pipe 53. The pressure reducing regulator 1-8 consists generally of-awbody lit formed of twoseparable partsldmand Mb. Thetwo-body-parts are e videdwithannular fiangestand are clampe l gether upon the peripheral edge of a flexible operating diaphragm 9L6. Tlhe body is zformed to provide chambers H and 18 uponopposite sides .of the diaphragm, with chamber 41 be: ing adapted to receive air under pressureto DIG" vide a desired loading upon the diaphragm, and chamber 18 adapted .to receive controllingsgas pressure. ,Air or-like gas. is continuously supplied to the chamber l'l through the restricted .orifice t9 rand 'from the small pressure reducing :regulator -2l. The linlet side of this regulator is connected by A pipe 22 to. a source of gas under'pressure. i A desired apressure is maintained in space M by the smallback pressure regulator :23. This regulator can consist .of a body is which I-is; clamped to the main regulator ibody atria, and which ,encloses the flexible-operatingdiaphragm 26. .Thediaphragm carries a :small valvelimem ber il whichds ported centrally, and which {is adapted toengagethevalveseatinsert 2.8. Space 29 below the diaphragm zfilis. in :freeercommunicatl0ll".Withithe spaced 1 above theimain diaphragm t6, ithrough the yduct :3 l. .The diaphragm dais-urged downwardlycbyrvthe loading spring 332, "the upper "end .of which is seated within the l;;-adjustingvknob i313 Ehis aknob carriesia threadedipontion 34 which has threaded engagement WithibGfiY i2 3, whereby .upon turning the knob the compression of :spring 932 .65); bendiusted toradesiredivalue. il -he space about the diaphragm 1-26 isxvent'ed to the atmosphere through duct:36, v:and lwhenlthe valve member @211: is moved nipwa'rdly xaway zfromzthe seat 123, can. may ventlfrom spacei29 :through the duet-lproe' vidediwithin this valve member. It will be "apparent lthat :backe pres'sure are'gu-- lator.- ;2z3 serves to automatically :maintain ithe desiredlpressureuwithin ethe ohamber ll Liassuming that the small pressure reducing regulator 2I is adjusted to supply air continuously to chamber [1. Thus the loading upon the upper side of diaphragm I9 is determined by the pressure maintained by back-pressure regulator 23, and this loading can be adjusted by changing the setting of knob 33.

The main diaphragm I6 is operatively connected to valve means designated generally at 38, which serves to control flow of air from the inlet passage 39 to the outlet passage 4 I. The particular type of valve means illustrated is of the balanced slide type. It consists of a cylindrical shaped and ported sleeve 42 fitted within a cylindrical bore 43 formed in the body part Mb. The sleeve is retained in lace by suitable means such as the screw 44 and it is sealed with respect to the body by suitable means such as the resilient rings 46, 41, 48.

Slidably fitted within the sleeve 42 there is a piston 49 which is attached to the central portion of diaphragm I6, and is also rigidly connected by rod or stem I with the cylindrical slide valve member 52. Sleeve 42 is provided with porting 53 which communicates with the inflow passage 39, and also with porting 54 which communicates with the outflow passage M. For the position of the valve 52 illustrated in solid lines in Figure 2 porting 54 is partially exposed by the valve member 52, and therefore air may flow from passage 39 through porting 53, the interior of the sleeve, and through porting 54 to the outlet 4I. As valve member 52 is raised flow of air through porting 54 is reduced, and eventually porting 54 may be exposed below the lower end of valve member 52, thereby venting air from the outflow side to the atmosphere.

In addition to the porting described above it is desirable that sleeve 42 be ported as indicated at 56, and that this porting be in free communication with the outflow passage 4|. Such porting tends to prevent the discharge of a jet of air upon the lower side of the diaphragm, such as may flow about the clearance between the piston 49 and the adjacent walls of the sleeve 42.

The inflow passage 39 is adapted to connect to a source of air under pressure by the use of suitable piping and coupling means. Thus a short pipe section 57 is shown threaded into the valve body and is connected with a manual valve 58. This valve in turn is shown connected with a coupling 59 whereby connections can be made to piping leading to the air supply.

Outflow passage 4| connects with a pipe section 6| which leads to the manual valve l I. The outflow side of valve I I is provided with a fitting 62 and coupling 63 to facilitate making engagement with a tank or compartment.

The manual valve II is of special construction and in this instance consists of a body 64 which accommodates the valve member 66. The valve member is attached to an operating rod 61 extending to the exterior of the valve body, where it is operatively attached to the hand wheel 68. The hand wheel carries a bushing 69 which has threaded engagement with the valve body whereby when the hand wheel is turned rod 81 is moved to valve member 66 between open and closed position. Suitable sealing means such as the 0 rings II and I2 prevent leakage between the body and the stem. In its closed position valve member 66 engages the stationary seat I3 which is carried on the inner end of fitting I4.

In conjunction with the main valve member 66 secondary valve means is provided consisting of iii valve member I5 formed on the inner end of rod 67, and a relatively stationary seat I1 formed on the valve member 96. Rod 61 is slidably fitted within the valve member 66, and sealed with respect to the same by suitable means such as the O ring I8. Relative movement between these parts is limited by collar I9. Thus when rod 61 is moved inwardly of the body 64 by the turning of the hand wheel 68, valve member 66 is forced to closed position upon its seat I3, and likewise secondary valve member I5 is seated in closed position upon the seat I'I. When valve rod 61 is moved in an opposite direction valve member 66 moves to open position with respect to each seat, and ultimately movement occurs between rod 61 and member 59 whereby secondary valve member 16 is opened with respect to seat II.

Suitable piping is provided for making connection between the chamber I 8 below the main diaphragm I6, and the interior of the compartment under test, and this piping establishes communication through the secondary valve means described above, and also includes pipe sections which extend through the pipe GI, the coupling 63 and the pipe I3. Thus a short rigid pipe section 84 is threaded into the valve member 66, and extends within the pipe section 6 I. A flexible or bendable pipe section 86 connects pipe section 84 with a sleeve 87 which is slidably fitted Within a bore 98 formed in the regulator body part I4b. Bore 88 is in free communication with chamber I8 through the port 89. Suitable means such as a resilient O ring BI serves to seal against leakage past the sleeve 81. The arrangement just described establishes communication between chamber I8 and the space 92 within the valve member 66, while at the same time permitting movement of valve 66 between open and closed positions. Space 93 on the outflow side of the secondary valve connects with a pipe section 94,

which leads axially through the coupling 63 and pipe section I3, and terminates at a point well within the compartment under test.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the secondary valve member I6 is closed upon its seat, communication between the chamber 58 below the main diaphragm I6 and the interior of the compartment is interrupted. At that time a duct 95 in rod 61 establishes communication between pipe 94 and an exterior pipe 83 which is attached to the upper part of the valve body. Thus a pressure measuring device to be presently described, and which is connected with pipe 83 is placed directly in communication with the interior of the compartment whereby the pressure within the compartment can be read for the purpose of determining whether or not any pressure loss occurs over a period of time. When the valve member 66 is in full open position with the secondary valve I8 likewise open, the indicating means attached to pipe 83 indicates generally the static pressure of air being supplied to the compartment by the main pressure reducing regulator. Likewise space I8 below the diaphragm I6 is automatically placed in communication with the interior of the compartment in a manner previously described.

In conjunction with the main regulator I0 it is desirable to provide pressure indicating means which will serve to accurately record the loading of the main regulator, and also the pressure within the compartment. As shown in Figure 1 this indicating means can consist of a pair of mercury manometers 96 and 92'. These manometers are attached to sleeves 98 and 99 which are emaneov 5. rotatably mounted upon the cadet a rod llll. The pressure chamber "on manometer 9'5 con- ,nects through porting and ducts with a tube I02,

which leads to the loading chamber l7 above the diaphragm It. This tube is shown provided with a small 'petcock I63 to enable opening or closing of the same. Manometer 96 has its pressure chamber connected through :duct 2 N14 with the pipe 83. This pipe is likewise provided with arsmall petcoc-k I66. The mounting ofthe .two manometers 96 and 91 intthe manner described facilitates use of the apparatus in either horimarital or vertical position. For a horizontal .positionlastshown in Figure 2, "the manometers sare swung upwardly at 90 with respect to the gen eral plane of the main regulator it, whereby they are read in a vertical position. In order to steady and properly support the apparatus during a test operation, the body part it?) is shown provided with one or more legs ld'l which can be adjustable, and which serve to engage the adjacent wall [2 of the compartment.

Operation of the apparatus described above can be reviewed as follows: The apparatus is coupled to a compartment to be tested and to a source of air under pressure, such as one or more compressed air flasks. Assuming that manual valves l l and 5B are initially closed, valve 58 is opened to permit high pressure air to be supplied to the inlet of the main pressure reducing regulator 10. Pressure in the outlet passage M will assume a value dependent upon the loading pressure maintained in chamber l'i. Assuming that petcock l 63 is open and that manometer 9'! is in a proper vertical position, the pressure for which the main regulator is set can be read and can be adjusted to a desired value by turning the knob 33. The operator now turns the hand wheel 68 of valve ii and moves this valve to full open position. Because of the air pressure upon the valve member 63, such opening movement initially opens the secondary valve, and then moves the valve member 66 from the seat '13. Air now flows through the main regulator at a relatively high rate into the compartment, until the compartment pressure reaches substantially the pressure for which the regulator is set. The compartment pressure is transmitted to the chamber l8 below the diaphragm l6, whereby when the compartment pressure reaches the desired value, diaphragm i6 is operated to adjust the regulating valve means 38 to such a position that no further air under pressure is supplied. At this time both the manometers 9t and 97 should have substantially the same pressure reading, assuming that petcocks W3 and let are open. Having now built up the compartment pressure to a desired value, the operator turns hand wheel 68 to completely close the valve ll, whereby no air can flow from the compartment back to the regulator, and whereby the interior of the compartment is placed in communication with the pressure chamber of the manometer 96. Then readings are taken of the manometer lit over a predetermined period of time, in order to detect possible leaks from the compartment.

It will be evident that the apparatus described above possesses many advantageous features. The regulating action is more accurate because the controlling pressure for application beneath the diaphragm it is taken from well within the compartment being tested. This has the further advantage of enabling the regulator to deliver full flow of air to the compartment while the compartment pressure is lbein'g developed, ithus greatly lreducing the. filling ttime :required. During the :static ,pressure test :period there iis 1110 opportunity for back-leakage through the regulator, and here again the manometer accurately indicate-sthe pressure within'the compartment being tested. vAll :of the foregoing advantages and features are obtained with relatively-simple apparatus (which can the readily manipulated by anwoperator. Only one connection to the compartment iis required, .and this one it connectionsserveslboththepurpose of introducing air into :the compartment, and :enabling accurate indication of the pressure within the compartment.

.1 1 claim:

, .1. In-a compartment tester, 'a pressure reducing sregulatorehaving inlet and outlet passages, said regulator including aneoperating diaphragm and meansforminga :chamber on one side of the same adapted to receive controlling gas pressure, piping connected to the outlet of the regulator, a coupling serving to connect the piping to a compartment to be tested, a manually operable shut-off valve in said piping, piping connecting said chamber with said compartment and extending through the first named piping and said coupling, and means for indicating pressure in said last named piping.

2. In a compartment tester, a pressure reducing regulator having inlet and outlet passages, said regulator including an operating diaphragm and means forming a chamber on one side of the same adapted to receive controlling gas pressure, piping connected to the outlet of the regulator, a coupling serving to connect the piping to a compartment to be tested, a manually operable valve in said piping and including a movable valve member, means serving to establish communication between said chamber and the interior of said compartment, said means including a second piping extending from said chamber through said coupling and a secondary valve formed on the movable valve member of said manually operable valve opened upon opening of the first valve to establish pressure communication through the second piping, and means for indicating the pressure in said second piping.

3. In a compartment tester, a pressure reducing regulator having inlet and outlet passages, piping connected to the outlet of the regulator, a coupling serving to connect the piping to a compartment to be tested, a manually operable valve in said piping to control fluid flow therethrough, said valve including a movable valve member, said pressure regulator including an operating diaphragm and means forming a chamber on one side of the same adapted to receive controlling gas pressure, a secondary valve formed on said valve member, flexible piping serving to connect said chamber to said valve member, piping serving to connect said valve member to the interior of the compartment through said coupling, said secondary valve member being arranged to either interrupt or establish communication between said chamber and the interior of the compartment through said last mentioned piping, and means serving to indicate fluid pressure in said last named piping.

4. In a compartment tester, a pressure reducing regulator having inlet and outlet passages, said regulator including an operating diaphragm, and means forming a chamber on one side of said diaphragm adapted to receive controlling gas pressure, piping adapted to be coupled to the com- 7. partment and serving to connect the outlet of the regulator to the compartment, a manally operable valve in said piping, said valve including a valve member movable in opposite directions between open and closed positions, a secondary valve formed in said valve member, said'secondary valve being opened when said first named valve member is moved to open position and being closed when the first named valve member is moved to closed position, flexible piping serving to connect said chamber with said valve member and with the inflow side of said secondary valve, piping serving to connect said valve member with the interior of the compartment and also connecting with the outflow side of the secondar valve, pressure indicating means, and means including said secondary valve for establishing communication between said pressure indicating means and the interior of the compartment.

AUSTIN U. BRYANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 491,166 Gold Feb. '7, 1893 594,633 Lunken Nov. 30, 1897 851,555 Norton Apr. 23, 1907 1,825,744 Landrum Oct. 6, 1931 1,883,522 Breer Oct. 18, 1932 1,887,578 Bush Nov. 15, 1932 2,196,279 Thomas Apr. 9, 1940 

